Track Listing

1. Undrentide
2. Isabella
3. Quan vey la lauzeta
4. Besse bunting
5. E volentieri
6. Cantiga
7. Summerisle
8. Averil
9. Secreit nicht
10. Now welcom somer
11. Veni coronaberis
12. Omnes gentes plaudite
13. Lanquan li jorn
14. At a springe-wel
15. Dance of the trolls
16. Maiden in the mor lay
17. E volentieri (reprise)
18. Palastinalied

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16398 in Music
• Released on: 2001-08-26
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
A tasty third album from the baebes who brought us Salva Nos in 1997 and Worldes Blysse the following year. Undrentide mixes old poetry with new sounds, relinquishing all aspirations of appealing to historical purists. Indisputable outsiders on the Period Music scene, the Mediaeval Babes keep proving that artists and audiences connect differently these days. The "Baebes" tour their revivalist compositions to S/M clubs and graveyards as well as to Cathedrals, and in its trendy packaging, what is really just another girl choir (though well hyped and well produced), their concept looks set to hit the spot with new audiences. Originators Kathryn Blake and Dorothy Carter lead the way, and with unassailable 90s-chick self-assuredness protest the right to do their take on the Anonymi. With John Cale on board as producer, "moderntide" saxes and synth pads effortlessly philander dulcimers and recorders. The result is a kind of soft paced neo paganism, unobtrusive and atmospheric, tastefully arranged.

The singing is pleasant and well instructed, with impressive purity, but not with quite enough guts to carry off the power of seduction inherent in the carefully chosen texts. However, these young maidens maintain a charming informality throughout, as if the recording was made sitting round the Maypole. You do want some of this. --Yngvil V G

Customer Reviews

Babes albulm; magical
I had heard of the Babes some time ago. But had not had the opportunity to listen to their music. To be honest, i thought the music would be some sort of New Age rock. And it was not until actually seeing them at a festival and thus hearing their music, that i realised how DIFFERENT and true to their name that they actually were. I immediately started looking for an albulm, and was drawn to Undrentide. And was quite happy that i had made this choice. As the whole albulm is hauntingly melodic, beautifully sung and full of medieval magic. And just pure in content. Also, the fact that the artists sing certain songs in olde English tongue, and in some parts Latin, was most impressive. A very creative, unusual albulm that does manage to transport you to the old times!

Triumphant Third Outing for the Baebes
This is an excellent album which easily manages to maintain the impressive standards set by 'Salva Nos' and 'Worldes Blysse'. The beautiful 'Quan Vey La Lauzeta' and 'Besse Bunting' stand out initially from amongst the the 18 tracks, but further listenings reveal the sheer quality of the music throughout. There's even a rendition of 'Summerisle' from the film 'The Wicker Man' and you can't get any better than that !

The Baebes Are Back With More Wizardry And Blysse
I am a big fan of the Mediaeval Baebes and have heard many rumours about this album. When i first heard it i thought it was pretty cool how John Cale has mixed in the modern ambient beats to the enchanting lyrics. The whole album is about spring,positivity and people getting drunk. And if you are wondering what Undrentide means, it is the time of day humans go to sleep and the fairies come out to play. It is a magical album and i recomend it to any person who likes a bit of the unusual.